While summer cinema is usually judged by popcorn—not philosophical—consumption, this year’s upcoming releases look to pose a number of questions that just might get our brains turning. From issues like equality, supernaturalism, and human progress, these next few months at tinseltown have the potential to instigate a slew of conversations about faith and culture.

Here are ten of the most anticipated movies hitting theaters this summer and a few themes to look out for:

10. Snowpiercer (June 27)To say that the plot of director Joon-ho Bong’s (Mother, The Host) first English film is unique would be an understatement. After most of the planet is destroyed by a global-warming experiment, what’s left of civilization survives in a perpetual motion train divided by a ruthless class system.

7. Deliver Us From Evil (July 2)Christian filmmaker Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Sinister) tells the story of a real-life NY police officer, Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana), who finds himself battling supernatural forces on the beat. I’m watching this film during the day.

Themes: supernaturalism, demonic possession, faith

6. Guardians of the Galaxy (August 1)Guardians of the Galaxy features the oddest slew of characters Marvel has brought to the screen thus far. Including a machine gun wielding raccoon. At this point, we have to ask ourselves, “Why not?”

4. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (May 2)Marc Webb’s first Spider-Man installment wasn’t without its shortcomings, but it didn’t feature any Tobey Maguire dance scenes, so that makes it a winner in our books.

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Wade Bearden is an editor at Christ and Pop Culture, as well as the co-host of Seeing and Believing (a film and TV podcast that searches for the sacred on screen). He's also a writer, pastor, and adjunct instructor at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. His first book, Failing Faith, is available now. Wade lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife and two sons. You can catch his blog at www.wadebearden.com or follow him on Twitter (@WadeHance).

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